Perforator for printing presses



June 22, 1937. A. E, UNRUH PERFORATOR FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed May 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l v 35 "L34 a Q? June 22, 1937. A. E. UNRUH PERFORATOR FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed May 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 62 INVENTOR fl/erl'fl C ATTORIIVEY Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Albert E. Unruh, Seattle, Wash., assignor of onehalf to Alexander MacDonald, Seattle, Wash.

Application May 18, 1935, Serial No. 22,141

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in perforating and scoring grippers for platen printing presses and aims primarily to provide a perforating and scoring gripper for a platen printing press which may be selectively employed as a plain or ordinary gripper, a perforating gripper, or a scoring gripper as required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a relatively narrow gripper of the plain, per- 0 forating, or scoring type, whereby at the point of functioning of the same, the minimum or narrowest spacing is obtainable in the type form substantially throughout the maximum printing depth of its correlated printing press platen.

A further object is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper embodying self-releasing means, whereby the perforating or scoring blade thereof is uniformly or simultaneously released throughout its entire length from the sheet being perforated or scored, said sheet being held in proper position by the gripper during such release, to thereby prevent twisting, buckling, or slippage of 'the same following its perforation or scoring.

A still further object is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper especially designed and adapted to be rapidly and readily located upon and attached to a rocking gripper bar of a platen printing press at any desired point thereon and at any angle relative thereto.

A still further object is to provide a rigid and non-tilting perforating and scoring gripper, the width of which will remain uniform throughout its entire length at all times and under all operating conditions.

A still further object is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper which when subjected to the usual vibrations of its correlated printing press will positively return to its correct perforating or scoring position prior to the succeeding perforating or scoring operation.

A still further object is to provide a perforatingand scoring gripper which does not require the usual make-ready or labor heretofore necessary with former types of perforating or scoring devices in order to obtain correctly aligned impressions.

A still furtherobject is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper adapted to be attached to the rocking gripper bar of a platen printing press, whereby inking of the perforated or scored portions of'the sheets is effectively eliminated, also contacting and cutting of the inking rollers is '55 impossible, and the necessity for employing strings, or the like, to hold the sheets to the platen is definitely obviated.

A still further object is to provide a scoring gripper whereby the printing and scoring of a sheet is simultaneously effected where heretofore '5 printing and scoring usually involved two separate and distinct operations.

A still further object is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper wherein the perforating and scoring blades thereof are rapidly and readily 10 interchanged.

A still further object is to provide a perforating and scoring gripper of simple, durable and economical construction, that is positive, efiicient and reliable in use and operation, that will not 15 readily get out of order, and that may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

The above, and additional objects which will hereinafter be more specifically treated are attained by such means as are shown in the ac- 2o companying drawings, described in the following specification and then more clearly pointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form a part of this application.

With reference to the drawings, in which there 25 is illustrated one embodiment of the invention, and throughout the several views of which like characters of reference designate similar parts:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the perforating and scoring gripper comprehended by the present 30 invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the upper portion of the gripper, as it 35 would appear when used as a perforator.

Fig. 5 is a similar section of the same, as it would appear when used as a scorer.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken through line 66 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive, are enlarged fragmentary rear elevations of the lower end of the perforating and scoring gripper and its correlated rocking gripper bar with the gripper shown in various adjusted positions thereon.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section of a platen printing press and the perforating gripper in a perforating position.

Fig. l4is a. similar section of a platen printing 50 press illustrating the device of the invention employed as a plain gripper, and

Fig. 15 is a perspective View of a platen and. its rocking gripper bar and ordinary gripperswith the perforating and scoring gripper of the in.-

vention operatively mounted upon said gripper bar.

Beginning now the more detailed description of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 20 generally designates my novel and improved perforating and scoring gripper having a relatively narrow elongated guide frame or arm 2|, which, while the same may be otherwise formed, is in the present instance preferably stamped from a single piece of sheet metal, and from its upper end to a point adjacent its lower end is laterally bent upon itself to form spaced parallel sides 22 and a relatively narrow longitudinally disposed guideway 23 therebetween. For a purpose hereinafter described, the frame 2| at its rear edge is provided with a series of longitudinally disposed slots 24, which latter are separated by relatively narrow transversely disposed intermediate portions 25 adapted to reinforce the spaced parallel sides 22 and prevent spreading or inward or outward bulging of the same, and also function to return the gripper 20 to a true position, when subjected to the vibrations of its correlated printing press. The guideway 23 at its. upper end terminates in a slightly widened U-shaped portion, to thereby form a seat 26 for a longitudinally or downwardly tapered flat spring 21 adapted to be detachably secured to the frame 2| by a screw 28 and to be spaced therefrom at its point of attachment thereon by a spacer 29, see Figs. 4 and 5. Similarly, at its lower end, the guideway 23 terminates in a slightly widened U-shaped portion, which latter forms a seat 3|) for a longitudinally or upwardly tapered flat spring 3| also detachably secured to the frame 2| by a screw 32, said slightly widened portion at the lower end of the guideway 23 also functions to re-inforce and strengthen the frame 2| thereat.

The frame 2| at its upper end is provided at each side thereof with laterally extending wings W, which latter function to effectively and positively' prevent the gripper 20 rocking or tipping sidewise during perforating or scoring operations.

In fabricating or constructing the frame 2| the lower end portion 33 of the same is left flat and is cut or stamped with the curvilinear contour illustrated and is provided with a transversely disposed slot 34 for a purpose hereinafter made more apparent. In the present instance, the lower end portion 33 is preferably re-inforced, upon its rear face, by'a plate 35 of similar contour as said portion 33, see Fig. 1, said plate being riveted or spot-welded to said portion 33.

By bending the material of the frame 2| in the manner herein shown and described, to form the guideway 23, it will be noted and observed, by referring particularly to Fig. 6, that the rear edge of said frame for the full length of the guideway 23 is: slightly curved or bevelled, thus serving to strengthen said frame at said guideway, and also functions. in some type set-ups to effectually prevent injury or damage to the type forms. I V

Slidably disposed within the guideway 23 is a perforating blade 36, the forward edge of which is provided with a series of perforating teeth 31, while, the rear edge of same is provided with a series of spaced notches 38 adapte to normally straddle theportions 25 of the frame 2| when the perforating blade 33 is. in an operative position within said guideway 23, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, it being here noted that said portions 25 function as guid s for said blade and also as stops therefor when th @11 is in a retracted position, at which time said blade projects or extends slightly from the rear edge of the frame 2|, as shown. The blade 33 at its terminals is provided with lugs or extensions 39 adapted to be engaged by the inner ends of the flat springs 21 and 3| to thereby maintain said blade in a normally retracted position.

The numeral 40 in Fig. 5 designates a scoring blade, interchangeable with the perforating blade 36, which scoring blade is also adapted to be slidably disposed in the frame 2|, as shown, the forward edge of which constitutes the scoring edge, while, the rear edge of same is provided with a series of spacednotches 4| for the identical purpose as hereinbefore described for the notches 3B of the perforating blade 36. The scoring blade 49 at its terminals also has lugs or extensions 42 for engagement by the inner ends of the springs 21 and 3|.

In Figs. 7 to 15, inclusive, the numeral 43 designates a rocking gripper bar of a platen printing press, said bar having formed therein a central aperture or hole 44, and aligned right and left hand elongated slots 45 and 45, one on each side of said hole, as shown more clearly in Fig. 15. The bar 43 upon its rear face is also provided. at its lower edge with the usual groove 41 and the usual rearwardly projecting flange 48, both of which extend lengthwise of the bar.

The gripper 24 is adapted to be detachably secured to the gripper bar 43 at any point thereon by a clamping bolt 49, which extends through said bar 43 and the slotted portion 33 of the gripper 28, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In Fig. 7 the bolt 49 is shown in thecentral aperture 44 of the bar 43 with the gripper 28 adjusted to the left to the limit of the gripper slot 34. In Fig. 8 the bolt 49 is also in the central aperture 44, but the gripper 2B is shown adjusted to the right to the limit of the gripper slot 34. In Fig. 9 the bolt 49 is shown in the right hand slot 45 of the gripper bar 43 with the gripper 20 adjusted to the left to the limit of the grip-per slot 34, at which time the gripper 20 is in'the same position as that illustrated in Fig. 8. In Fig. 10 the bolt 49 is shown in the left hand slot 45 of the gripper bar 43 with the gripper 26 adjusted to the right to the limit of the gripper slot 34, at which time the gripper 23 is in the same position as that illustrated in Fig. '7. From the foregoing and by referring to Figs. '7 to 10, inclusive, and Fig. 15, it will be manifest and apparent, that the gripper 20 may be located or adjusted upon the gripper bar 43 at any desired or selected point between the outer ends of the slots 43 and 46, and that there are no dead or blank spaces thereon, as heretofore obtained with other gripper devices.

In Fig. 11 the bolt 49 is shown in the central aperture 44 of the bar 43 with the gripper 2|] inclined or angularly disposed to the left, at which time said bolt is at the left hand end of the grip-per slot 34, and the curved perimeter of the portion 33, concentric with the adjacent end of theslot' 34, bears upon or is in abutment with the upper face of the flange48, as shown, to

thereby facilitate angular adjustment of the gripper 20 and to increase the rigidity of the same. In Fig. 12 the bolt 49 is also in the central aperture 44, but the gripper 23 is shown. inclined or angularly disposed to the right, at which time said bolt is at the right hand end of the gripper slot 34 and the perimeter of' the portion 33 concentric with the right hand, end of said slot also bears upon or is in abutment with the flange 43 for the reasons above set forth. In Figs. 11

and 12 I have shown the gripper 26 inclined at certain selected angles, but, I desire to have it understood that such gripper may be inclined at any desired angle from each side of the vertical. Moreover, while I have illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the gripper 26 as inclined at the center of the gripper bar 43, it is to be understood that said gripper may be angularly disposed at any point on said bar. The primary purpose of inclining the gripper 25, right or left, is to permit of angular perforation or scoring of the sheets, and also to utilize the same, when employed as a plain gripper, to hold the corner or a fragmentary portion of the sheet being printed without interfering with the type form.

In Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive, the numeral designates the platen of a platen printing press, to which the rocking gripper bar 43 is operatively connected in a well known manner, not shown. In Figs. 13 and 14, the numeral 5| designates a chase and 52 the bed of a platen printing press. In Fig. 13 the gripper 20 is illustrated as employed as a perforating gripper and as it would appear when perforating a sheet 53, said perforating being effected by a bar 55, locked in the chase 5|, in a well known manner, contacting the rear edge of the perforating blade 36, as shown. The numeral 56 in Fig. '13 designates the type form which is also in printing contact with the sheet 53 at the same time the latter is being perforated. From the above, it will be obvious that when the scoring blade 39 is substituted for the perforating blade 36, that such scoring blade is also contacted by the bar 55 in a similar manner to effect scoring of a sheet, not shown.

In Fig. 14 the gripper 20 is illustrated as being employed as a plain or ordinary gripper, and as holding down a sheet 51, while the same is being imprinted by the type form 58 locked in the chase 5| by furniture 59.

In Fig. 15 the gripper 20 is shown, attached by the bolt 49, in its central position upon the gripper bar 43, and in a retracted position from the platen 50, following perforation of a sheet 60 f on said platen. The numeral 6| designates grippers, of the conventional type, having their lower angularly disposed ends slidably mounted in the groove 41 and being adjustably secured to the gripper bar 43 by bolts 62. Detachably secured, as by a screw 63, to the upper end of the right hand gripper 6| is a cap 64 having a bar 65 extending laterally therefrom, which bar is adapted to normally pass or extend through a transversely disposed slot 66 formed within the upper end of the gripper 20, this in order to support and steady the upper free end of the gripper 20. A headless screw 61 is provided to clamp the gripper 20 to thebar 65 at any desired point thereon.

In the operation of the gripper 26, when the same is used as a plain gripper, perforating gripper, or scoring gripper, said gripper 20 is attached to the gripper bar 43 at the selected point and angle thereon in an obvious manner, and when used as a perforating gripper, the frame 2 during a perforating operation, first contacts and holds the sheet to be perforated, following which the bar 55, in the chase 5| contacts the perforating blade 36 forcing the same into the sheet, as shown in Fig. 13, following which the chase 5| and bar 55 are retracted permitting the flat springs 21 and 3| to effect retraction of the perforating blade 36 within its guideway 23, while the frame 2| remains in contact with the perforated sheet, thus definitely insuring that such sheet is released or freed from the perforating blade 36 prior to the frame 2| releasing the sheet. When the scoring blade 39 is substituted for the perforating blade 36, the same relation and action between said scoring blade and frame 2| prevails, as above described for said perforating blade.

While I have herein shown and described the invention with suflicient detail to enable those skilled in the art to which it pertains to understand the mode of construction and the principles involved, it is to be understood that there is no intentional limitation herein to the specific form and precise details of construction shown and described, except as expressly defined by the appended claims, and that various modifications of the same may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the benefits derivable therefrom. It is also to be understood that certain features of the invention herein disclosed may be employed in and with other combinations than those shown and described.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gripper for a platen printing press comprising spaced parallel strips, and means for interconnecting said strips at intervals in fixed spaced relation along a common edge.

2. A gripper for a platen printing press comprising relatively narrow spaced parallel strips, and means for rigidly interconnecting said strips at intervals in fixed spaced parallel relation along a common edge.

3. A gripper for a platen printing press comprising spaced parallel strips, and means for integrally connecting said strips at intervals in fixed relation along a common edge.

4. In combination with the centrally apertured and slotted rocking gripper bar of a platen printing press, of a gripper, and means on said gripper co-operating with the central aperture and slots of said bar for effecting attachment of the gripper to the latter at any selected point thereon.

ALBERT E. UNRUH. 

